Holiday shoppers spend more, travel less

I’ve never had the courage to venture out to the mall on Black Friday, but I have had the lovely experience of working in retail during this frenzy.

Granted, my outlet store didn’t have the same crowds as Best Buy; however, the outlet mall did start a new trend of opening its doors at midnight.

This new trend had customers parking on freeway exit ramps and walking the rest of the way to the mall. To me, something seems backwards about this-not what I would call post-Thanksgiving dinner fun. Upsurd is the only word that comes to my mind.

Forget the hassle.
Many people have figured out a more relaxing way to digest their turkey and to get some holiday deals–online shopping.

Online shoppers spent a record $531 million this past Friday, which is up 22 percent from last year, according to a comScore news release. More sale increases are expected throughout the holiday season.

Holiday rush
If similar sales are available online, why do shoppers still brave the elements to line up outside a store to buy the latest trinkets?

We live in a world that turning mostly digital, yet we still find security in face-to-face interaction. Hmm…What is it about searching a store, paying a cashier versus clicking a mouse that makes us feel more secure?

Must be our good ol’ human nature and our need for an interactive experience. I’m sure it won’t be long until online shopping will turn into a more interactive experience.

I am thankful during this holiday season that I no longer work in retail and I can sit at home happily clicking my mouse.

An Iraq veteran shares his chilling truth…

My mom always told me that it’s not right to bring up religion and politics at the dinner table; but this is the blogosphere, and I feel that on this Veterans Day it is my simple duty to pass this story along.

The LATimes ran a story about a young, Iraq veteran, James Blake Miller, who fought in the bitter battlegrounds of Falloujah in 2004.

If the name rings a bell, it’s because his photograph (taken by Luis Sinco, Times staff photographer), ‘Marlboro Marine,’ was used across the country to illustrate the frontlines of Iraq. 

Miller has since returned home safely, but the images of Iraq still haunt him today.

I think about Iraq everyday, he said…

…What have we gained as a country? What have we actually accomplished, other than the loss of some damn, fine people? 

Conventional journalism urges journalists not to get involved with the peoples’ lives they cover; but as an embedded journalist in Iraq, Luis Sinco feels responsible for Miller’s life and is helping him cope with adjusting to life at home. (Be sure to check out the full story and listen to the podcast.)

Miller is not alone.
Miller, like many veterans, returned home and cannot forget the nightmare of Iraq War.

• It is reported that more than 30 percent of Iraq veterans are suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
• Twenty-five percent of our nation’s homeless are Iraq war veterans.

So what is being done?
Resources are available for these veterans, but the reality is–there is no quick fix when it comes to mental health. Government funds do help lower therapy costs, but doesn’t always cover everything.

The next time I fret over a busy schedule I hope I will take a moment and remember how lucky I am to have the opportunities that I do.

To our veterans, thank you.